DivaCup Model 2

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Model 2 Diva Cup

AT LAST, AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVE TO TAMPONS AND PADS – THE DivaCup™

ARTG 92419

The DivaCup™ gives you the same internal protection as a tampon, but without the expense, waste and health risks!

And you only need one!

There are many reasons to use a DivaCup™ :

v Environmentally Friendly/Less Waste

v Money Saving

v Less Health Risks than tampons

v No dioxins

v Greater Capacity than tampons

v Can be kept in for up to 12 hours

v Invisible internal protection

v Lasts around 10 years

v Easy to use

v Simple to clean and reuse

What is a DivaCup™ ?

A DivaCup™ is a bell shaped item, made of medical grade silicone, that is folded then inserted into the vagina, where it opens up to collect menstrual fluid. It is a simple case of removing the cup, tipping out the contents into the toilet, wiping or rinsing it clean and reinserting it again. The vagina is continually self-cleansing, washing away dead cells and bacteria. Tampons absorb the natural fluids that we need to keep the vagina clean and moist. The DivaCup™ is non-absorbent and simply collects the menstrual flow, leaving the natural moisture level in the vagina undisturbed.

Like tampons, these are worn internally, however that is where the similarities end. Menstrual cups have many benefits over tampons. The innovative DivaCup™ design features easy-grip ridges, convenient flow measurements and a, soft, flexible stem for comfort and easy removal. Designed to hold one full ounce (30 ml), The DivaCup™ is capable of accommodating even the heaviest flows (an entire average cycle is 3 to 4 ounces or 90 to 120 ml).

Money Saving
Adding up the cost of tampons, month after month, you will see that switching to a reusable cup will save you money. One menstrual cup will last around 10 years! If you buy one box of tampons a month for a whole year, that's about $50 worth of tampons, which is more than the cost of a menstrual cup. So your cup should have paid for itself in savings in just one year, and it will save you money, year after year.

Less health Risks
The serious and sometimes fatal Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is caused by toxin-producing strains of the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium and has been linked to the use of conventional, rayon-based tampons. Menstrual cups have not been found to provide the same breeding ground for this bacteria, and has not been responsible for any reported TSS cases.

Tampons can contain dioxins and carcinogenic chemicals, not found in a menstrual cup. Inserting the dry tampons can damage the vaginal wall and feel uncomfortable. The absorbing nature of tampons can disturb the balance of the vagina and lead to thrush. Because the menstrual cups do not absorb the blood, merely collect it, they can be worn with a very light flow without drying out the vagina.

Easy to Use
It can be a little tricky at first as it is a little different to tampons, however there are some great websites and online communities that have helpful suggestions if you have any difficulties. Cleaning is simple! Depending on your flow empty the cup 2-3 times per 24 hour day, wash and reinsert. It can be worn up to 12 hours, even overnight. The DivaCup™ is ideal for all activities including swimming, camping, backpacking, and travelling. It is suitable for all menstruating women of all ages.

Freedom!
Menstrual cups can be worn during swimming, overnight, and even if you aren't bleeding yet. Unlike tampons they can safely be kept in place for longer lengths of time, and have a greater capacity than tampons. The DivaCup™ eliminates the need to spend time searching for a bathroom, hiding tampons or pads in pockets, or constantly worrying about leakage and unpleasant odors. Also it works for light as well as heavy days. Also, there is no more guessing as to which kind of products to use on certain days or nights.

Environmentally Friendly
Being reusable, the DivaCup™ does not contribute to the waste that use of disposable products cause. In 1998, 7 billion tampons and 12 billion sanitary pads and their packaging were disposed into landfills and sewage systems in the U.S. alone. With landfill and pollution problems on the rise, The DivaCup™ is committed to reducing the serious eco-footprint of feminine hygiene by offering The DivaCup™.

How to Use
The cups come with a leaflet giving instructions for use, and it is as simple as putting it in, leaving it inserted for however long you wish to leave it, depending on your flow. Then you remove the cup, tip out the contents, clean the cup and reinsert it.

Some women prefer to wipe the cup with toilet paper/tissues before reinserting, some prefer to rinse out with water. Washing the cup more than this prior to reinsertion is not necessary.

At the end of your period, or before the next one, you may boil the cup to sterilise it. Some women just use a mild soap to clean the cup. It is recommended to make sure all traces of soap/solutions are rinsed off well before using the cup to avoid irritations.

As they are not absorbent and do not dry out the vagina (as tampons can), you can get used to using your cup before you have your period. This lets you practise the positioning and insertion before you need to use it.

The stems may seem very long, and most women trim or completely cut the stems off to make wearing the cup more comfortable. The cups are not pulled out with the stem, so the stem is not completely necessary for most women, however some women do prefer to use the stem.

While they look large, they are folded (there are several ways to do this) before insertion, and fully open are around the same size as an expanded tampon.

Even though it does not have a string like a tampon, you don't need to worry about losing it inside you! They are designed to sit lower in the vagina, with the stem usually just inside the vaginal opening.

The DivaCup™ is available in two models:

Model 1: for women under 30 years old who have never had childbirth or c-sections.

Model 2: for women who have had vaginal childbirth or c-sections; and for women who are over 30 years old and never had childbirth.

The Model 1 cup is 1 11/16" (~4.3 cm) in diameter and the Model 2 cup is 1 13/16" (~4.6 cm) in diameter. Both cups are around 2 1/4" (~5.7 cm) in length in the body of the cup, with another 3/8" (~1 cm) stem (2 5/8" total length). The stem may be trimmed to adjust for comfort.

There is not a big difference between the two sizes (Model 1 is 1/8" (~0.3 cm) smaller), but it is important to use the recommended sizing to prevent leakage.

We recommend Model 2 if you are over 30 years old because as we age, our hips naturally widen and the vaginal muscles lose elasticity. Since it is the vaginal muscles which hold The DivaCup in place, it is important to use Model 2 if you are over 30, even if you have not had a vaginal childbirth or c-section.